Rotary spray device with speed changing drive



Aug. 7, 1951 E. o. NoRRls 2,563,657

ROTARY SPRAY DEVICE WITH SPEED CHANGING DRIVE Filed Jan. 25, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l INI/ENTOR.

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ATTORNEY Aug. 7, 1951 E. o. NoRRls ROTARY SPRAY DEVICE WITH SPEED CHANGING DRIVE Filed'Jan. 25, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNI/ENTOR.

'EDWARD O. MORRIS TTORNE Y Aug. 7, 1951 E. o. NoRRls ROTARY SPRAY DEVICE WITH SPEED CHANGING DRIVE Filed Jan. 25, 194e 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

EDWAQD 0. NORR/S wmv MN ATTORNEY Aug. 7, 1951 E. o. NoRRls ROTARY SPRAY DEVICE WITH SPEED CHANGING DRIVE Filed Jan. 25, 194e 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NVENTOR.

E D WARD O, NORRS TTURNEY Patented Aug. 7, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY SPRAY DEVICE WITH SPEED CHANGING DRIVE 6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to spraying apparatus of the centrifugal type wherein a liquid is fed by suitable means to an atomizing distributor, rotating at high speed, which receives, atomizes, and projects the liquid in a iinely divided spray, through a suitable opening in the apparatus, against the surface to be sprayed.

More specifically, the invention relates to a portable centrifugal spraying apparatus of the so-called al1-position type which is capable of being operated at any angle.

The apparatus disclosed in this application is a modification of the apparatus shown and described in my co-pending application Serial No. 641,929 filed January 18, 1946, now Patent No. 2,545,486, patented March 20, 1951. This application is directed to the specific construction of the atomizing distributor, the general object of the invention being to provide a spraying device which is simple, compact, light and eiicient in operation and which is especiallyi adapted for use by relatively unskilled operators.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of this character improved means for supporting and rotating the atomizing distributor in combination with means for controlling the admission of liquid thereto.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof where- 1n:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section through a centrifugal spraying device constructed according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the distributor and a portion of the support in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1 with the distributor in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged central vertical section through the atomizing distributor;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the feed cone of the distributor; and

Fig. 8 is a top plan View of the feed cone shown in Fig. 7.

My improved spraying apparatus comprises generally a rotating open ended collecting case, into which the liquid is forced under pressure, and a rotating atomi'zing distributor within the case which picks up and atomizes the liquid and sprays the atomized liquid out through the open end of the case. The collecting case and distributor are suitably supported by a housing within which is mounted a high speed motor and suitable gearing by which the collecting case and distributor are rotated. A handle by which the device is held when used is secured to the housing. Finger operated means are also provided for controlling the admission of liquid to the apparatus, and for moving the distributor between operative and inoperative positions.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the numeral I indicates a motor housing in which a small high speed series type motor, having an armature shaft 2, is suitably mounted. The rear end of the housing I is closed by a removable cover 3, which when removed affords access to the motor and facilitates the insertion and removal thereof.

A handle 4, through which the device is held and manipulated when in operation, is rigidly secured to the under side of the housing I.

A gear casing 5 is secured to the forward end of the motor housing I by bolts 6. Secured to and projecting forwardly from the face of the gear casing 5 is a tubular bearing stud 'I which is disposed in axial alignment with the armature shaft 2. A sleeve 8 having a spur gear 9 secured to the rear end thereof and a radially extending concentric circular ring I0 secured to the forward end thereof is rotatably mounted on the stud 'I and is retained thereon by a nut II on the forward end of the stud 1.

The gear Il meshes with a small pinion I2 formed on the projecting end of a shaft I3 which is rotatably supported by the gear casing 5 and the front wall I4 of the motor housing I. Secured to the shaft I3 Within the gear casing 5 is a spur gear I5. The gear I5 meshes with a smaller gear IB rotatably mounted upon a short shaft I'I which is also supported by the gear casing 5 and front wall I4 of the motor casing. The gear I6 in turn meshes with a small pinion I8 secured to the projecting end of the armature shaft 2. The sleeve 8 is rotated by the motor through this gear train at a greatly reduced speed, the reduction being preferably in the proportion of 25 or 30 to 1. A split shield I9, which is removably secured to the face of the gear casing 5, encloses the gear 9, pinion |21 and the sleeve 8.

A collecting case 20 is removably secured to the ring I0 in any suitable manner. As shown herein the rear end of the collecting case 20 is permanently secured to a ring 2| which is threaded onto a forwardly extending annular flange 22 formed on the ring IIJ. The collecting case 2li, which is circular in cross section, flares outwardly as indicated at 23, gradually increasing in diameter as it extends forwardly from the ring I6 until it merges with a torio-shaped trough 24. The portion 25, of the collecting case 2l), forwardly of the trough-24 gradually decreases in diameter and terminates in a circular opening 26 at the forward end of the case.

A frusto conical ring 21 is concentrically mounted within the portion 25 of the collecting case 20, with its small end projecting through the opening 26 slightly beyond the forward end of the case. A cut-off flange comprising a conical ring 26 similar to, but smaller than, the ring 21 is concentrically mounted within the ring 21 so as to provide an annular space 26 between the inner wall of the ring 21 and the outer wall of the ring 28. As shown in Fig. 1, the plane of the forward edge 36 of the ring 28 is slightly to the rear of the plane of the forward edge 3i of the ring 21. Both the rings 21 and 28 are supported by a plurality of lugs 32 which are secured to and project inwardly from the inner wall of the portion 25 of the collecting case. A frusto conical splash guard or ring 33 is secured to the inner surface of the Yring 28, with its large end in contact with the inner surface of the ring 28 and its small endprojecting rearwardly within the case 2D. The forward edge of the splash guard 33 has a plurality of spaced notches 34 formed therein so as to provide a plurality `of uninterrupted paths along the inner surface of the ring 26 between the forward and rearward edges thereof. Y A ring-shaped open mesh screen 35. is also supported by the lugs 32 between the inner wall of the case 26 and the splash guard 33.

Theatomizingdistributor generally indicated by the numeral 36 is rotatably supported within the collecting case 26 Yby a hollow supporting tube 31. The axis of the distributor lies in a plane parallel to a vertical plane through the axis of the collecting case-2l), and substantially perpendicular` to a horizontal plane througlrthe axis ofthe collecting case, as viewed' in Fig. 2. The intake vend of the distributor 36, when not spraying, is removed from the annular trough 24 as shown in full lines in Figs. l and .3. When spraying the distributor is in the position shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3., with its open end dipping into the liquid in the trough 24 and facing toward the peripherally advancing liquid to constitute a rotating scoop.

The rear. end of the tube 31 is rigidly secured to Yan oscillatory member 38 pivotally supported, as indicated at 39, within the bearing stud 1. A gear case 46 is rigidly secured to the forward end 0f the'tube 31. The wall of the gear case, opposite the tube31, has an opening therein which is closed by a removable plug 4 l. A .tubular bearing stud 42 having an axial bore 43 therein is removablysecured to the gear case 46 and projects downwardly therefrom, with the axis thereof perpendicular to the axis of the tube 31. A shaft 44, which Yis rotatably mounted in the bore 43and a bearing 45 in the upper wall of the gear case, has a bevel gear 46 rigidly secured thereto within the gear vcase 46. The gear 46 meshes with a bevel gear 41 which is fastened to the forward end of a shaft 48 rotatably mounted within the tube 31. nected to and rotated by the armature shaft 2 through a flexible shaft 49, and the shaft 48 through the gears 46 and 41, drives the shaft 44.

A hub 56 having an annular flange 5I at the upper end thereof is rotatably mounted upon the The rear end of the shaft 46 is conf" reduced lower end 52 of the stud 42. The lower end of the hub 56 has a squared aperture therethrough into which the projecting lower squared end 53 of the shaft 44 fits. The hub 50-is held in place upon the stud 42 by a screw 54 and a washer 55. An elongated frusto-conical feed sleeve 56 is rigidly secured to the hub 50 by a spider 51.

An annular disc 53 having a threaded periphery 59 and a reentrant central portion 66 is rotatably mounted upon the upper enlarged end 6i of the stud 42 through the medium of an antifriction bearing V62. The bearing 62 consists of an innerrace 63, an outer race 64, and a plurality of ballsY 65 mounted in a separator cage 66 between the inner and outer races. The inner race is pressed tightly onto the upper end 6| of the stud 42, and the outer-race is pressed tightly into a cylindrical extension 61 formedron the reentrant portion 60 of the disc 58. The separator cage 66 has a plurality of downwardly projecting lugs 63 secured to thelower face thereof. These lugs 68 extendinto slots 69 in the annular flange Y 5l on the upper end of the hub 50.

A frusto-conical sleeve 16 is threaded onto the disc 58 and extends down around the upper portion of the feed sleeve. 56. The sleeve 16 has a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending .slots 1| through the wall thereof, and has secured to the outer surface thereof a plurality of equally spaced ring-shaped ns 12. The slots 1l constitute discharge ports to feed liquid to said ns.

The upper end of the feed sleeve 56 within the sleeve i6 is cutaway as clearly shown in Figs. 5, '7 and S, so as to provide two opposed inclined edges 13 extending axially across the slots 1|, the proiected height of each edge 13 being substantially equal to the length of the slots 1I in the Y w-all of the sleeve 10.

In operation the shaft 44 is rotated by the armature shaft 2 through the flexible shaft 49, shaft 48 and bevel gears 45 'and 41 at substantially the same speed as the armature shaft 2. The hub 56 and the conical feed sleeve 56 secured thereto are rotated by the shaft 44 in unison therewith. The hub 5) through the flange 5i and the `lugs 68 secured to the separator cage 56 and engaging in the slots 66 in the flange 5i, will rotate the separator cage 66 about the inner ball race 63. The cage 66 causes the balls 65 to roll around the inner race 63 and the balls 65 in turn will drive the outer race 64 at a speed considerably greater than the speed of the hub 5S and Yof the feed sleeve 56Y carried thereby. The disc 58 and sleeve 16 being carried by the outer race 64 will rotatetherewith. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the sleeves 56 and '16 will be simultaneously rotated in the saine direction, but at different speeds, the speeds depending upon the step-up ratio of the drive and being something Yless than 2 to- 1 according to the dimensions of the parts. of 11/2 to 1 may be obtained. The sleeve 56 is preferably rotated at about 12,000 revolutions per minute, which in the example just described will rotate the sleeve 15 at approximately 18,000 revolutions per minute. By moving the sleeves 56 and 16 atV different speeds the edges 13 of the sleeve 56 are caused to sweep across the slots 1| and to feed the liquid uniformly thereto.

The construction of the distributor 36 is such that in operation it will throw outor spray a band of finely atomized liquid which will completely surround the fins 12. Thespray leaves the ins 12 tangentially thereof, and the thickness In one example a ratio of the band is substantially equal to the distance between the uppermost and lowermost ns 'I2 as indicated in Fig. l. Part of the band of spray will be projected out through the ring 28 in a segment which gradually increases in width after leaving the cut-oif flange, as indicated in Fig. 2. The balance of the band of spray is intercepted by the inner wall of the case 20 by which it is collected and returned to the distributor for respraying. To secure the most efcient results the' band of spray leaving the ring Z3 should substantially symmetrical about the extended axis of rotation of the collecting case 20. The posi-- tion of the axis of the distributor is determined by the diameter of the vatornizing fins l2. The periphery of the fins l2 should be tangent to a plane through the axis of the distributor, and the length of the sleeve 56 should be such that the smaller intake end thereof will dip into the trough 24 during operation, and the fins 'l2 will be in a position to project a band of spray outwardly through the ring 28 as described.

A tube 'l5 having an annular flange i5 at the forward end thereof and a wider annular flange li at the rear end thereof is rotatably mounted upon the tube 3l. A spring 7S about the tube 3l between the flange il and the oscillatory member 38 yieldingly presses the liange 'i6 into engagement with the rear wall lli of the gear case 40. The fia-nge il has an annular groove 86 formed in the periphery thereof. The ring l to which the collecting case 2li is secured is formed with a forwardly extending concentric flange 8i formed integrally therewith. An annular groove 32 is formed in the outer wall of the ange 0l. One end of a flexible boot 33 is `secured to the flange l1 by a spring clamp -Ell which cooperates with the groove 85 and the other end of the boot 83 is secured to the flange El by a spring clamp 85 which cooperates with the groove 82. rI'he boot `83 functions las a seal between the case 20 and the interior of the bearing stud l to prevent any liquid from passing back through the hollow stud 'l into the gear case or motor.

A shield 86 pinned to the upper end of the shaft 44 so as to rotate therewith prevents the back spattered liquid from being deposited on and about the gear case 40, disc 58 and associated parts.

An arm 3l is rigidly secured to the oscillatory member 33. This arm 81 extends rearwardly from the member 38 into the gear casing 5 and then outwardly toward the wall of the gear casing. The fre-e end of the arm ASl isbifurcated as indicated at 88 and straddles a reciprocally mounted rod 89 between a collar 99 thereon and a spring 9| seated against the wall Hi. The spring 9i normally' biases the supporting tube'i and the distributor 35 carried'thereby to the inoperative position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 3. The rod 89 projects through the front wall of the gear casing into engagement with a. trigger 92 pivoted at 93 to a lug on the gear case. The trigger S2 which is somewhat flexible below the point of engagement with the rod 89, extends downwardly into alignment with and a short distance beyond the upper forwardly extending curved end 94 of a lever 95 which is operable to control the opening and closing of a valve 96.

The valve 96 controls the admission of liquid to the collecting case 2li. The liquid is forced, usually by air pressure, from a suitable lcontainer through a iieXible hose 91 to the valve 96. After passing the valve 95 the liquid ows through an upwardly and an outwardly extending conduit 99 in the handle 4, andthence through a tube 99, the end |00 of which is turned back upon itself and extends into the `collecting case 2B through the open forward end 26 adjacent the outer surface of the ring 2l.

The lever 95, which is positioned in a slot IUI in the handle 4 in such a manner that the operators hand will not engage it when he grips the handle 4, is pivoted atits lower end to a lug |02 on the casing of the valve 9B. A set screw |03 which extends through a tapped hole in the lever 35 in alignment with the valve stem l04, constitutes an adjustable abutment through which the valve is opened and closed as the lever is rocked on its pivot.

In operation the operator holds the device by the handle 4 with his forenger around the trigger 92. The motor is energized by means of a suitable switch, not shown, to drive the collecting case20 at a speed of 400 to 600 revolutions per minute, the distributor feed sleeve at a speed of about 12,000 revolutions per minute, and the spraying sleeve (in the example given above) at about 18,000 revolutions per minute. The direction of `rotation of the collecting case 2li and the distributor 3E is indicated by arrows in Fig. 3. The trigger 92 is then squeezed and moved toward the curved end 94 of the `lever 95. This will move `the distributor 36 from the inoperative position, shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 3, to the operative position, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3`. In the operative position the intake end of the feed sleeve 56 of the distributor projects into the trough 24 as is clearly shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. Further pressure on the flexible end of the trigger 92 will bring it into engagement with the forwardly eX- tending curved end 94 of the lever 95 to rock the lever 95 on its pivot and open the valve 90. This will permit the liquid to be forced under pressure from the storage receptacle through the flexible conduit 91, passageway 98 and tube 99 into the collecting case 20. Due to the particular shape of the case 2D and to the centrifugal action caused by the rotation of the case the liquid will flow into the trough 24, lling it up to the dash lines in Fig. 1. The liquid will be carried around in the trough as it rotates and will be forced by its momentum into and scooped up by the intake end of the sleeve 55 of the distributor. The rotation and shape of the distributor sleeve and the momentum of the liquid will cause the liquid to flow up the inner surface of the sleeve 55 to the inclined edges 13 at the upper end thereof where it will be thrown outwardly from the edges 13 by centrifugal force through the slots 1I and onto the ns 12. The fins 'I2 due to their high speed of rotation will throw or spray the liquid outwardly tangentially thereof in a nely divided atomized spray as previously described. As previously stated, part of this spray will be projected out through the open end 26 of the case120. The balance of the spray will be collected by the inner wall of the collecting case and will be returned to the trough 24 for respraying. Part of the spray will strike the inner rearwardly flaring wall of the ring 28. Any spray reaching the forward edge 30 of the ring 28 will be thrown radially outwardly therefrom against the inner wall of the ring 21 and returned centrifugally to the case 20. The balance of the spray striking the wall of the ring 28 will be returned centrifugally through the notches 34 in the splash guard 33 into the case 20.

The apparatus is particularly adapted for the spraying of paint. It is to be understood, however, that the apparatus can also be used for atomizing and spraying other liquids, such as a liquid disinfectant.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that I have provided a simple and eiicient mechanism for carrying out the objects of my invention. It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific construction shown and described herein as various modifications can be made therein within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed isi 1. A liquid spraying apparatus, comprising a distributor including a frusto-conical feed sleeve having a liquid intake zone at its small end and a liquid discharge zone at its large end, a bearing stud rotatably mounting said sleeve, a distributor n disposed about said sleeve in said discharge zone to receive liquid from said sleeve and to spray the liquid outwardly, an anti-friction bearing mounting said iin to rotate about said bearing stud comprising bearing races carried by said stud and by said fin respectively and rolling bearing elements disposed between said races, a separator cage carrying said bear- Y ing elements, and a driving connection between said sleeve and said separator cage tc drive said cage at the same speed as said sleeve, whereby the fin is drivenrby said roller bearing elements at a greater speed than said sleeve.

2. In a liquid spraying apparatus including a rotary collecting. case having a sprayopening and an annular peripheral wall forming a channel to receive liquid, a distributor operative to collect liquid from said channel and to spray a band'of liquid out through said opening, said distributor comprising a tube pivotally supe ported adjacent one end thereof exteriorly of said rotary case and extending into said rotary case, a gear case secured to the end of'said tube within said rotary case, a hollow bearing stud secured to said gear case with theaxis there-Y of perpendicular tosaid tube, a driving shaft rotatably mounted `vvithin said tube, a second shaft rotatably supported in said hollow bearing stud, gearsconnecting said "shafts within said gear case', a distributor sleeve rotatably mounted upon said bearing stud, a frusto conical feed sleeve rotatably mounted upon said bearing stud with its large end disposed within saidV distributor sleeve, a driving connection between said second mentioned shaft and said feed sleeve, and a driving connection between said second mentioned shaft and said distributor sleeve including said lastV driving connection elements having means to drive said distributor sleeve at al greater speedmthan said feed sleeve.

V3; In a liquid lspraying apparatus including a rotary'collecting case having a spray opening and an annular peripheral wall forming a channel to receive'liquid, a distributor operative to collect liquid from said channel and to spray a band of liquid' out through said opening, said distributor comprising a'tube pivotally supported adjacent one end thereof exteriorly ofV saidV rotary case and extending into said rotary case, a gear case secured to the end of said tube within said rotary case, a hollow bearing stud secured to said gear case with the axis -thereof perpendicular to said tube, a'driven shaft rotatably mounted within said tube, a second shaft rotatably supported in said hollow bearing stud, gears connecting said shaftsV within said gear 8 Y case, an anti-friction bearing mounted upon said bearing stud, said bearing including inner and outer races, aV plurality of roller bearing elements and a separator cage therefor, a disc secured to the outer race of said bearing, a distributor sleeve secured to said disc, a plurality of fins secured about said distributor sleeve, a hub rotatably mounted upon said bearing stud in axial alignment with said anti-friction bearing, a frusto-conical feed sleeve secured to said hub within said distributor sleeve, a driving connection between said second mentioned shaft and said hub through which said hub and said feed sleeve are yrotated in unison with said second mentioned shaft, a driving connection between said hub and said separator cage through which said cage is rotated about said inner race in unison with said hub to drive said outer race and said distributor sleeve at a speed in excess of the speed of rotation of said hub and said feed sleeve.

4. In a liquid spraying apparatus, comprising a distributor including a frusto-conical feed sleeve having a liquid intake zone at its small end and a liquid discharge zone at its large end, a support rotatably mounting said sleeve, a rotatably mounted distributor 1in disposed around said sleeve in said discharge zone to receive liquid discharged centrifugally therefrom and to spray said liquid outwardly, driving means to rotate said sleeve to feed the liquid centrifugally along the flaring inner surface of said sleeve to said discharge zone and to feed the liquid centrifugally therefrom to said fin, and a speed changing drive interconnecting said sleeve and fin to drive said fin from said sleeve at a speed diiferent from said sleeve.

5. In a liquid spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which said mechanical coupling is arranged to drive said iin at a greater speed than said sleeve.

6. In a liquid spraying apparatus, a distributor comprising a bearing stud, a distributor sleeve rotatably mounted on said bearing stud carrying a plurality of spaced superimposed fins and having discharge ports to supply liquid to said ns, a frusto-conical feed sleeve rotat- Y ably mounted upon said bearing stud having inclined edges disposed within said distributor sleeve to feed liquid centrifugally thereto, and drive means including a mechanical coupling interconnecting said distributor sleeve and said feed sleeve to rotate said sleeves simultaneously at diierent speeds.

EDWARD O. NORRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED` STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 516,605 Low et al. Mar. 13, 1894 888,091 Kestner May 19, 1908 1,373,372 Waite Mar. 29, 1921 1,439,319 Mills Dec. 19, 1922 1,667,745 Smellie May 1, 1928 1,779,336 Riley Oct. 21, 1930 1,853,682 I-Iechenbleikner Apr. 12, 1932 1,859,770 Fleisher May 24, 1932 1,978,007 Anthony, Jr. Oct. 23, 1934 2,063,048 Norris Dec. 8, 1936 2,064,125 g Norris Dec. 15, 1936 2,099,988 Norris Nov. 23, 1937 2,233,855 Suss Mar. 4, 1941 

